No closure order vs lumad school — DepEd

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has denied reports that it ordered the closure of a lumad school in Talaingod, Davao del Norte. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the DepEd said the closure of the school was a community decision supported by a resolution issued by an indigenous peoples’ community council. 

The DepEd said the Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanon Community Learning Center Inc. is among three private learning institutions granted a permit in 2014 to operate in the Davao region. 

The agency said the permit is a temporary authority granted to private learning institutions that are in the process of completing the requirements for full recognition.

Former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo and ACT party-list Rep. France Castro led a fact-finding team last week to look into the reported harassment of teachers and students in the school by an alleged paramilitary group. They were charged with kidnapping and child trafficking for allegedly transporting 15 minor students supposedly without the consent of their parents. 

Ocampo and Castro, who were detained with 16 others, claimed they rescued the children from groups that shut down the school. They were freed after posting bail of P80,000 each.

Amid issues involving lumad schools in Mindanao, the DepEd said it recognizes and supports the contribution of non-government and community-led institutions to help improve access to culture-based basic education.